St Joan of Arc RC Primary School Review 2026: Strong Progress and Faith-Based Values in Highbury

St Joan of Arc RC Primary School sits in Highbury Park, Islington, serving 420 pupils aged 3 to 11 in a Roman Catholic voluntary aided setting. The school ranks 14th locally in Islington and sits among the top 11% of primary schools nationally for academic performance, placing it well above the national average. Judged Good by Ofsted in January 2024, the school highlights its position in the top 3% nationally for progress, underpinned by four Christian values—Respect, Love, Service and Courage—that inform daily practice. Extended hours from 8:15am to 5:45pm offer flexibility for working families, while a comprehensive curriculum combines academic rigour with Spanish, Music, Design & Technology and a house system that fosters community spirit. Demand is intense: with 160 applications for just 59 Reception places, the last distance offered was 0.12 miles, making this one of the most competitive primaries in the borough.

St Joan of Arc's Catholic identity shapes every dimension of school life. The ethos centres on developing the whole child—spiritual, moral, social and intellectual—through a lens of faith and community partnership. Parents are positioned as co-educators, and the school emphasises collaboration with families to support each pupil's learning journey. The house system encourages healthy competition and peer support, while the Mini Vinnies club enables older pupils to engage in community service and fundraising for local causes, embedding the school's value of Service into tangible action.

The school occupies an extended site following architectural work by ZRP Architects, which added accommodation along two sides and built into the existing hall. A dedicated entrance allows the facilities to be used by the community and external groups outside school hours, including for teaching conferences, reflecting the school's commitment to serving the wider neighbourhood. Inspectors noted a culture of high expectations, where pupils feel safe and well-supported, and behaviour is consistently positive.

St Joan of Arc delivers outcomes well above the national benchmark across Key Stage 2. In the most recent results, 81% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the national average of 62%, while 41% achieved the higher standard against just 8% nationally. Reading performance is particularly strong: 83% reached the expected standard, and 56% achieved the higher score, with an average scaled score of 109. In maths, 81% met expectations and 37% attained the high score (average scaled score 107). Grammar, punctuation and spelling saw 79% reach the expected level and 52% secure high scores (average scaled score 109). Science outcomes were also robust, with 85% meeting the expected standard.

These figures translate into a national rank of 1,668 out of around 15,000 primaries, placing the school in the top 11%. Locally, St Joan of Arc ranks 14th in Islington, a competitive borough. The school's emphasis on reading begins in Nursery, building vocabulary through a buddy system and strong parental engagement. Inspectors highlighted the phonics teaching as a key driver of very strong progress in reading. However, some teachers are still embedding the new mathematics methodology, and the school has planned targeted training to strengthen consistency.

Across the curriculum, pupils study English, Maths, Science, Religious Education, Computing, Art, PE & Sport, Geography, History, Spanish, Music and Design & Technology. Year 5 pupils receive swimming instruction. PE is broad, covering games, dance, gymnastics, athletics and outdoor adventurous activities, with external coaches invited for sessions linked to wider events. The school places great emphasis on physical and mental health, encouraging pupils to express themselves through sport and dance.

Support for special educational needs is integrated into the mainstream offering, though specific SEN provision details were not extensively documented. With 48% of pupils speaking English as an additional language and 29% eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse community and demonstrates strong progress for disadvantaged pupils, noted as a particular strength by Ofsted.

Beyond the academic day (8:30am–3:00pm), St Joan of Arc offers an after-school club until 6:00pm, alongside a varied timetable of activities and clubs designed to stimulate and nurture all pupils. The house champions system recognises achievement, and the school runs regular open mornings for prospective families. A Parents' Association supports the school community, and attendance is closely monitored and celebrated.

The extended facilities, including the multi-use entrance and hall, enable a wide range of extracurricular offerings and community engagement. The school uses an online booking platform (Magic Booking) where parents can view and book their children into after-school programmes, streamlining access to enrichment opportunities.

St Joan of Arc draws pupils from across Islington and neighbouring areas, reflecting both its Catholic character and its strong reputation. The school serves families who value faith-based education within the context of high academic standards.

Pupils typically progress to a mix of Catholic and non-denominational secondaries in North London. The most common destinations include La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School (13% of leavers), Our Lady's Catholic High School (13%), and Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form (11%). A further 8% move to St Aloysius RC College, with another 8% heading to St Mary Magdalene Academy. These patterns indicate that around a quarter of families continue into Catholic secondary education, while others opt for high-performing non-denominational schools nearby.

The diversity of secondary destinations reflects both parental choice within the faith community and the school's capacity to prepare pupils for a range of selective and comprehensive settings.

St Joan of Arc is a voluntary aided Catholic school, meaning it sets its own admissions criteria in consultation with the Archdiocese of Westminster. Parents must complete both the standard Islington e-Admissions form and a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to enable the application of faith-based criteria, such as church attendance. The SIF alone does not constitute a valid application.

Demand is exceptionally high. For the most recent Reception intake, 160 applications competed for 59 places—a subscription ratio of 2.71, classifying the school as heavily oversubscribed. All first-preference applicants could not be accommodated, and the furthest distance offered was just 0.12 miles (approximately 193 metres), one of the tightest catchments in Islington. Families beyond a few streets are unlikely to secure a place unless they meet priority criteria such as sibling links or specific faith requirements.

Admissions are coordinated through Islington Council (020 7527 5515, admissions@islington.gov.uk), but the school's governing body determines the oversubscription criteria. As with all Islington schools, distance is a tie-breaker when multiple applicants meet the same priority category. Cut-off distances fluctuate annually depending on application patterns, so past offers are indicative rather than guaranteed.

Parents seeking a Catholic primary in Highbury should attend the school's open mornings, consult the determined admissions arrangements published on the Islington Council website, and ensure both the e-Admissions application and SIF are submitted by the deadline. Given the micro-catchment and faith criteria, securing a place typically requires both proximity and demonstration of Catholic practice.

St Joan of Arc RC Primary School delivers what its community values most: strong academic progress within a supportive, faith-centred environment. The school's top 11% national standing and top 3% progress ranking are testament to effective teaching, high expectations and a relentless focus on reading and maths. Parents gain not only robust results but also extended hours, varied extracurricular provision and a values-driven ethos that emphasises service, courage and respect.

The micro-catchment and heavy oversubscription mean this is not a realistic option for families living more than a few hundred metres away, unless they meet specific priority criteria. For those within reach—geographically and in terms of faith commitment—St Joan of Arc offers a well-regarded Catholic education in the heart of Highbury, with outcomes that consistently outpace national averages and a community culture that extends well beyond the 3pm bell. The school's Ofsted Good rating, combined with its exceptional progress metrics, positions it as a strong choice for families seeking a primary rooted in faith and focused on achievement.

Is St Joan of Arc RC Primary School a good school?

Yes. Ofsted judges St Joan of Arc as Good (January 2024), and the school ranks in the top 11% nationally for primary performance. It is particularly strong in reading, maths and progress for disadvantaged pupils, with 81% of pupils meeting expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined (well above the 62% national average). Inspectors noted high expectations, strong phonics teaching and a positive, safe environment.

How do I apply to St Joan of Arc RC Primary School?

St Joan of Arc is a Catholic voluntary aided school. Apply via Islington Council's e-Admissions system by the national deadline (usually mid-January for Reception entry the following September). You must also complete the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to enable faith-based criteria to be applied. Both forms are required. Oversubscription criteria prioritise Catholic families with evidence of church attendance, siblings, and proximity. Contact Islington Admissions on 020 7527 5515 or admissions@islington.gov.uk, and attend the school's open mornings for detailed guidance.

What is the catchment area for St Joan of Arc RC Primary School?

The school is heavily oversubscribed, with the last distance offered at just 0.12 miles (around 193 metres) for the most recent intake. This micro-catchment covers a few streets in Highbury Park. As a faith school, proximity is only one factor; Catholic families with sibling links or strong parish ties may be prioritised. Catchment distances vary annually based on application patterns, so consult the school's published admissions data and contact Islington Council for the latest figures.

What are the school hours at St Joan of Arc RC Primary School?

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Extended provision is available from 8:15am, and an after-school club operates until 6:00pm, offering flexibility for working parents. Nursery through Year 6 pupils can access these extended hours, with a variety of clubs and activities led by qualified staff after the standard school day.

Does St Joan of Arc RC Primary School teach a foreign language?

Yes. All pupils study Spanish as part of the curriculum, reflecting a modern languages commitment from an early age. This is delivered alongside the core subjects and a broad range of foundation subjects including Music, Art, Design & Technology, Geography and History.

What are St Joan of Arc RC Primary School's strengths according to Ofsted?

Ofsted (January 2024) highlighted progress, attainment, provision for disadvantaged pupils, and attendance as particular strengths. Inspectors praised the phonics programme, the strong reading culture starting in Nursery, and the school's high expectations for behaviour and achievement. The school's top 3% national ranking for progress reflects these strengths in practice.